Today is Good Friday, the most solemn day on the Christian liturgical calendar. It commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the Jewish prophet whom Christians believe to be the son of God. About the day:

Most Christians view Christ’s death as a voluntary act that brought spiritual salvation to humankind.

Devotions can include: prayer; meditations based on the last seven statements the Bible reports Jesus made on the cross; fasting; readings from the biblical accounts of the Passion; processions, including along the 14 Stations of the Cross; and re-enactments of the crucifixion.

It is believed the crucifixion occurred on a Friday in April. In 33 A.D., the most probable date, the constellation of the Southern Cross was entirely visible from Jerusalem.